The Feast of the Assumption

Sunday, 15th August 2010

Where Can You Find The Riches

An African farmer had heard tales about other farmers who had made millions of dollars by discovering diamond mines. These tales so excited the farmer that he could hardly wait to sell his farm and go prospecting for diamonds himself. So he sold the farm and spent the rest of his life wandering the African continent, searching unsuccessfully for the gleaming gems that brought such high prices on the markets of the world. Finally, broke, worn out, and in a fit of despondency, he threw himself into a river and drowned. Meanwhile, back at the farm, the man who had bought his farm happened to be crossing a small stream on the property one day when he saw something gleaming at the bottom of the stream. He picked it up. It was a sparkling stone - a good size stone - and, admiring it, he later put it on his fireplace mantel as an interesting curiosity. Several weeks later, a visitor admired the stone, looked closely at it, hefted it in his hand and nearly fainted. He asked the farmer if he knew what he'd found. When the farmer said no, that he thought it was just a piece of crystal, the visitor told him he had found one of the largest diamonds ever discovered. The farmer was astonished. He told the man that his creek was full of these brilliant stones, and his farmland was covered with them. Not all were as large, perhaps, as the one on his mantel, but they were sprinkled generously throughout his property. The first farmer had owned, free and clear, acres of diamonds, but had sold them for practically nothing in order to look for them elsewhere. If each of us will only have the wisdom and patience to begin by exploring ourselves, we will find that we contain all the riches necessary to be able to succeed in whatever endeavours to which we may set our minds and hearts.

Russell H. Conwell

Saints of the Week

Week Beginning Sunday 15th August

Monday 16 – St Stephen of Hungary

Thursday 19 – St John Eudes, priest

Friday 20 – St Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church

Saturday 21 – St Pius X, pope

Sacred Heart Church - Mass Intentions 7.30 pm

Wednesday Mary McGlynn – 1st Anniversary

Baptisms

Roksana Samociuk, 5 Shrewsbury House, Hospital Road
Tierna Louise Perry, 10 Coolnagard Square
Aurelia Anne Broderick,
5 Amber Drive, Chorley, Lancashire
Kaylen Sean McCrory, 12 Lammy Walk

Recent Deaths

We pray for the family of the following who died recently:

Teresa Gormley

May she rest in peace.

Prayer for Priests
We ask for your prayers for the following priests this week:
Sunday 15th August – Fr Peter Madden
Monday 16th August – Fr Anthony Mailey
Tuesday 17th August – Fr Eamon Martin
Wednesday 18th August – Fr Gerard Mongan
Thursday 19th August – Fr Colm Morris
Friday 20th August – For All Priests
Saturday 21st August – Fr Aidan Mullan

Omagh Bomb 12th Anniversary Memorial Service
A short service of prayer and reflection will be held today (Sunday) at 3.00 pm in the Memorial Garden. The service is anticipated to last no longer than 45 minutes. Refreshments will be served following the service in the Omagh Library, a short walk from the garden.

Holy Communion to Sick & Housebound
The Eucharistic Ministers will bring Holy Communion to the sick and housebound who have requested it, this Sunday after 9.45am Mass and 11am Mass and after 10 am Mass in St Mary’s Church, Drumragh.

Parish Office
The Parish Office will be closed on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th August. It will reopen on Monday 23rd August.

Grandparents’ Pilgrimage
The 4th National Grandparents' Pilgrimage will take place at The Shrine of Our Lady of Knock on Sunday 12th September. Anointing of the Sick will be at 2pm, Pilgrimage Mass at 3pm, followed by Eucharistic Adoration. Special guest singers are Michael English, Dana and Chloe Coyle. For further information, visit the website www.catholicgrandparentsassociation.com or telephone 00 353 98 24877.

Questions people ask

Q. Since the Assumption of Mary is not mentioned in the Bible, why does the Church celebrate the Feast of the Assumption?

A. Surely you are not suggesting that the Mother of Jesus is not in heaven! The privileges bestowed on Mary are an advanced indication of what God has in store for all who belong to the family of her Son. It is expressed beautifully in the Preface of the Feast: ‘The virgin Mother of God was taken up to heaven to be the beginning and pattern of the Church in its perfection, and a sign of hope and comfort for your people on their pilgrim way.’ It is also a celebration of the sacred dignity of the human body.
Courtesy of Fr Silvester O’Flynn, Intercom Magazine
Email silvesteroflynn@gmail.com

St Joseph’s Parish Hall
St Joseph’s Hall is a busy parish hall with numerous events throughout the whole year, such as the Senior Citizen’s Club, the Bingo, the Coffee Morning and other parish events. To ensure that these valuable parish events continue, more help is needed. In particular there is a need for more active committee members who are willing to give a few hours to help when required. There is also a need for new committee members who could help in the future running of the Hall. If you have a few hours to spare and wish to become involved, please contact Tommy on 0775 393 6701 or Fr McDevitt on 8224 2092.

Care for Cancer Bereavement Support Group
This 6 week programme commences on Monday 6th September 2010 at 7.30pm. Welcoming anyone affected by bereavement due to cancer. Please contact the Care for Cancer centre on 028 8224 6599 to ensure a place in the group as spaces are limited.

I.N.F. All New Big Bingo
£2,950.00 Prize Money
Every Friday at 9.00 pm sharp
Single book £10.00
Double book only £15.00

Donkey Derby
Sunday 22nd August
Mullaghmore, Co Sligo
Starts @ 1.30 pm

Great Family Fun Day with Side Shows, etc
Proceeds go directly to the Poor of Zambia (No Deductions!)

Bring your donkey if you have one!

Renew Your Wedding Vows

Marriage Encounter offers an opportunity for married couples of all ages with a stable relationship to enrich their marriage and renew their vows. During a weekend (Friday 8 pm to Sunday 5 pm) couples explore, in complete privacy, how to come to a deeper mutual understanding of each other. The dates for the next Marriage Encounter weekends are:
24th-26th September, Dromantine Conference Centre, Newry and 26th - 28th November, telephone 028 9062 6503 or 028 7135 0612. Early booking is advised.

St Michael’s Apostolate - Prayer for Priests
Would you like to adopt a Priest in Prayer, in your own diocese or in another? No money needed, just 10 minutes of your time daily for God, to pray for your Priest. We will send you the name of your adopted Priest, with Prayer Card - nothing else involved – just prayer in thanksgiving to your priest! (Spiritual Director: Fr. Michael Ross) Contact: Siobhan on 028 8224 8479 or Rosie on 028 8225 9541 in the evening.
‘I will spend my Heaven working for Priests’ - St. Therese of Lisieux

Derry Diocesan Society

The following names have been added to the list of Deceased Members of the Derry Diocesan Society:

Deceased Members
Jim Clarke, 1 Fairmount Road
Charlie Grugan, 40 Sunningdale
Sean McKenna, Sedannan. Omagh
Patricia Cassidy, 12 Randall Drive
Mark Doherty, Scotland
Mary Craig, 9 O’Kane Park
Mary Monaghan, 48 Gortrush Park

That these and all who sleep in Christ find in your presence,
light, happiness and peace.

Wise Words

“Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand.” ~ Emily Kimbrough

Stage Starz Performance Academy

Wednesday 18th & Thursday 19th August

St Josephs Hall Omagh

1- 4pm

£5 each/£10 per family (per workshop)

For bookings and further information contact:
Orlágh Simmonds 07835060654
Liam Mc Ginn 07756527883
Stuart Gibson 07751287340

Omagh St Enda's GAC

Omagh St Enda’s Gaelic Football summer camp for boys and girls aged 4 years to 14 years old will take place from Monday 16th to Thursday 19th August. Camp fee is £15 per child which also includes a hoody and wristband. In attendance will be our own Tyrone senior players Joseph & Justin McMahon, Jason McAnulla, a number of our senior players and Tyrone minor players. Registration forms can be obtained from any youth coach or out at Clubrooms. The camp commences at 10 am on Monday and everyone is welcome. Bingo with £7,000 in prize money continues as usual in Healy Park at 9 pm on Thursday.

St Joseph’s Hall

Timetable of Events

Tue 9.00pm - Bingo - Jackpot £1000

Wed 10.00-12.30pm - Weightwatchers

Thur 8 pm Line Dancing - Beginners
9.15 pm Regular Line Dancing Class

Contact Tommy on 07753 936 701

All Other Hall Activities Have Now Finished for the Summer

Omagh Independent Advice Centre

Omagh Independent Advice Centre offers a free and confidential advice service to anyone in financial difficulty on all aspects of debt or any associated financial problem. If you would like to speak to someone about your financial difficulties, please contact Michele in the Advice Centre on 028 8224 3252.